hafely



NlTED STATES ALFRED C. HAFELY,

aren't- @rrrca OF NE\V YORK, N. Y.

EM BOSSED lVl ETALLIC PLATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 378,442, dated February 2.8, 1888.

Application filed April 4, 1881'. Serial No. 233,680. (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that l, ALFRED O. HAFELY, of the city and State of Sew York, have invented an Improvement in Embossed Metallic Plates, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to produce a highly ornamental embossed metallic sheet the surface of which contains contrasting colors, thereby producing upon the embossed metallic sheet an appearance similar to a picture. To effect these objects I make use of the process or method herein described and to which my invention relates.

I employ a thin sheet of copper or copperfoil, either alone or attached to a backing of paper or cardboard. The surface of this copper is more or less oxidized, to render such surface of a dark bronze color. I find that a solution of sulphuret of potash is well adapted to this purpose; but I do not limit myself to the chemical substances made use of for coloring the surface oft-he copper a dark hue.

The surface of the copper is washed or cleansed to thoroughly remove any remaining chemical substances, and the sheet or foil is embossed in any suitable dies to produce the raised figures, patterns, or designs, after which the higher portions of the patterns or designs are rubbed over with a cloth or other flexible material and asuitable polishing substance, such as fine emery, rouge, or other polishingpowder capable of removing or partially removing the oxidation or coloring from the sur' face of the copper and revealing the contrasting colors in the oxide and of the copper itself. This operation brings into contrast the red color of the copper and the dark colors of the oxidized surface, and as the red color of the copper is presented on the higher portions of the figures in relief a peculiar artistic effect is produced which renders the embossing more prominent in consequence of the well-known effect of a red substance in contrast with a darker background, and this process is very easily applied to the covers of albums and books and to other embossed plates. Varnish or lacquer may be applied to the metallic surface to prevent atmospheric action. This process is to be distinguished from those heretofore made use of, in which leaf foil or bronze is caused to adhere to the metallic surface and is partially rubbed off after embossing.

I claim as my invention 1. The method herein specified of producing ornamental embossed metallic plates, consisting in oxidizing or discoloring the surface of the metal to render the same dark, embossing the sheetor foil of metal, and polishing the higher portions of the embossed metal to reveal the contrasting color below the oxidized surface, substantially as set forth.

2. The method herein specified of producing ornamental embossed copper platcsconsisting in oxidizing uniformly the surface of the copper by sulphuret of potash or similar chemical substance to render the same dark and embossing the foil or sheet of copper, substantially as set forth.

3. The embossed copper plate having a dark oxidized surface and the dark color removed on the high portions to reveal the contrasting colors, substantially as set forth.

Signed by me this 26th day of March, 1887.

ALFRED O. HAFELY.

Witnesses:

G130. T. PINoKNEY, WILLIAM G. Morr. 

